Dominican Ben Yam Barshi, of Cabarete, has posted an appeal for funding on the Kickstarter program to create the Aqualibrium Garden. As of 27 September, pledges of US$30,324 from 152 supporters had been received. The effort needs to reach US$108,000 goal with 26 days left for Kickstarter support. The funds are needed to build the industrial mold that the creators say has the potential to change the direction of agriculture and help make the world a better place.
The proposal is to create a closed-loop ecosystem that can fit anywhere, offering people the freedom to grow food all year round.
As it works, fish in the self-cleaning aquarium in the bottom chamber of the Aqualibrium Garden provide the nutrients that feed the plants in the self-watering grow space in the upper chamber. The cycle creates a garden where fresh vegetables, herbs and flowering plants can grow all year round.
The garden is both decorative and good for people.
Pledges of US$30 or more are being requested by the founders Josh Rittenberg, Ben-Yam Barshi and Jared Kasner.
The company has also created a self-sustaining aquaponics system that was designed for villages in Haiti.
Ben Yam Barshi is the son of longtime Cabarete windsurfing and sailing entrepreneurs, Maria Jose and Ari Barshi, the DR’s masters laser sailing champion.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/1414985420/the-aqualibrium-garden-the-future-of-food